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Esports fans brose the latest League of Legends merchandise at Riot Store in LoL Park in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, Wednesday. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald) |
With South Korea hosting the annual global esports event League of Legends World Championship for the third time in the event's 13-year history, the year 2023 was truly a feast for esports, or League of Legends, fans in Korea.
Celebrating one of the most popular competitive multiplayer video gaming events around the world, Seoul was filled with events, activities and attractions aiming to capture the hearts of esports enthusiasts.
Though unique esports stamp tours, pop-up stores, live concerts and drone shows are no more, Seoul still has much to offer those who crave various esports experiences.
Dive into Korean esports history at e-Sports Hall of Fame
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Challenger’s Arena at e-Sports Hall of Fame in Mapo-gu, northwestern Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald) |
The e-Sports Hall of Fame, which opened in August 2018, is an iconic site that epitomizes Korean esports.
The Hall of Fame presents the 20-year history of esports in Korea, from South Korea’s long-favored PC strategy game StarCraft to LoL, with displays of legendary esports pro gamers’ personal equipment, uniforms and belongings.
Ranging from Korean StarCraft legend Lim “BoxeR” Yo-hwan to Worlds 2017 winner Kang “Ambition” Chan-yong, e-Sports Hall of Fame shares exciting stories of professional esports players and their stunning accomplishments in rich video interviews.
Visitors can also enjoy computer games in Challenger’s Arena, a stage that is set to allow esports lovers to sit and experience how pro gamers are competing in online games with quality gaming chairs, premium computers and mega-sized screens as a backdrop.
“We present an opportunity to experience an esports broadcast program for tour groups, giving fans a glimpse into how Korean esports programs are made and how creators produce their game-related contents,” a Korea e-Sports Association official told The Korea Herald on Tuesday.
“The group tour is available for groups of 10 or more. We offer a separate docent for these groups as well,” the official explained.
Visitors can make special photo booth photography with unique frames featuring Korean national esports players of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, including Faker, Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk and more.
Visitors can also play virtual reality games and enjoy the future of esports.
The e-Sports Hall of Fame, which is located in Mapo-gu, northwestern Seoul, is a 10 to 13-minute walk from Digital Media City Station Exit No. 9, following the road that leads to Sangam Elementary School.
It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays to Sundays.
T1 Base Camp
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t1 1: Faker-themed photo zone in T1 Base Camp in Hongdae, located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald) |
T1 Base Camp, a culture complex in Seoul’s bustling Hongdae district, is a must-visit for T1 fans.
T1, one of the most popular esports organizations in South Korea and the 2023 LoL World Championship winner, created an ultimate fan-friendly zone for both die-hard T1 supporters and casual esports fans.
The T1-themed PC bang has a special lounge that offers esports experience. Visitors can enjoy the team’s live LoL matches via large LED screens.
The merchandise shop offers not only T1 accessories but also displays LoL figures, computer-related items and sell used Nintendo Switch, Xbox and Play Station 5 games.
It is not difficult to spot fans who visit the place to take instant photos with their beloved pro gamers as a unique photo frame or print their stars’ photo cards.
Though detailed information is yet to be released, T1 considering presenting a unique esports experience to visitors by inviting its academy coaches to the PC room and providing a special pro gamer-level curriculum.
Take Exit No. 1 from Hongdae University Station on Subway Line 2 to visit T1 Base Camp.
LoL Park
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LCK uniforms are displayed at LoL Park in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald) |
LoL Park, the stadium for LoL Champions Korea (LCK) in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, is always filled with passionate LCK fans when Korean LoL esports teams’ matches are held Wednesdays to Sundays.
But, this LCK stadium is not only for live audiences.
Ticketless visitors can also explore different areas of LoL Park.
With a one-minute walk from Exit No. 1 at Jonggak Station on Subway Line No. 1, you can enter Gran Seoul Tower, the home of LoL Park and instantly recognize the place filled with flashing headsets, keyboards and computer screens as you get off the escalator.
Unlike other Korean internet cafes, Riot PC Bang at LoL Park has a visitor-friendly zone near the entrance, where people can try different computer equipment to see which suits them best before they take their seats.
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Fans wait for League of Legends Champions Korea’s Wednesday match between Gen. G and KT Rolster. (Lee Si-jin/The Korea Herald) |
Though it was more than an hour before game time, nearby cafes and restaurants were filled with esports fans preparing their signage, drawings and cheering tools ahead of the match.
Don’t forget to enjoy LCK uniform exhibition, the latest LoL-themed merchandise and special photo zones, featuring iconic LCK pro gamers who paved the way for Korean esports.
